When I say “DEAL” I am not talking in terms of playing cards or what you say when someone makes you an offer you can’t refuse. I’m talking about the skill and ability to be able to handle a situation, event, or otherwise uncomfortable experience, expected or unexpected. Regardless, we all have to able to “deal” with what we face in order to play our best. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again it’s about controlling yourself, your emotions & thoughts, so you can control your performance!
All of theses things we experience are different at different times and they can effect our performance, if we let them. For example, a bad call by a referee, the weather, the condition of the field or track, anger, frustration, self-doubt, negativity, criticism, things at home and/or at work etc. The 3 following mental skills will help you start “DEALING” so you can play.
1. AWARENESS – Be aware of the situations/ scenarios above and how you are choosing to respond or react to them. Awareness is the foundational skill in the mental game because you can only make an adjustment if you know one needs to be made.
2. CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLE – Once you are aware then decide whether or not the thing you are giving so much attention and energy to is within your realm of control or outside of your control i.e. referees – outside of your control; negative thoughts – within your control. I always tell clients “you can’t control what goes on around you but you can control how you choose to respond to it.”
3. ATTITUDE – Your attitude toward any given trial or thing you need to deal with will determine how well or poorly you come out of it and perform/play through it. Remember this – Attitude is a decision! So decide to be positive.
If you are wasting energy on the fact that its raining I hope you realize that it’s raining on everyone. “DEAL” with it by being aware, focusing on what you can control and choosing to have a good attitude. By developing these three skills you will be increasing your ability to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Which is invaluable in sport and life! I think you’ll agree that we are rarely 100% and regardless we still need to perform our best. By inserting these skills into your mental game you will be able to give your best performance on any given day, in any given game.
I wish you well in your pursuit of excellence and know that working on your mental game will get you there faster and keep you there longer!
DEAL!!!! DEAL!!!! DEAL!!!
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